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Driver in Fatal Berkeley Crash Remains Hospitalized

Authorities said Jose Lumbreras, whom police identified as the driver in the fatal crash that killed a University Village mother and her young son, is under arrest but remains in the hospital. Click "Keep me posted" below for updates.

The Berkeley man police say is responsible for a high-speed, alcohol-involved crash into a tree that killed two people in May remains hospitalized.

Jose Lumbreras, 24, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after the May 18 crash at Allston Way and California Street in Berkeley. Police say Lumbreras was driving northbound on California at 64 mph when he . 

The crash killed mom Milanca Lopez, 22, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez had just days earlier. 

Lopez's 6-year-old son, Xavier Chevez, was . 

According to the Berkeley Police Department, Lumbreras remains hospitalized and in the custody of the Alameda County sheriff's deputies, though he has not yet been booked pending release from the hospital.

The Alameda County district attorney's office charged Lumbreras on May 22 .

Police said the district attorney's office would review charges against Lumbreras in the wake of Xavier Chevez's death. 

The district attorney's office has not yet responded to a request for any updates in the charges against Lumbreras, whose preliminary blood alcohol concentration was reported by authorities as .219 percent.

Lumbreras was listed as a current doctoral student in UC Berkeley's Department of Ethnic Studies on the department's website.

He majored in sociology at UC Santa Barbara, and graduated in June 2010. 

According to a biography of Lumbreras posted on the UC Santa Barbara website, the 24-year-old grew up in Compton, "where a lack of afterschool programs created an atmosphere of aimlessness for many youth. Despite the social, economical, and political disadvantages, a sense of community developed and contributed to Jose’s ability to discover a path that led to success in high school and, ultimately, college."

Lumbreras entered college as a business and economics major, but a trip to a local jail in his freshman year inspired him to change majors, and focus on urban ethnography, juvenile justice, community studies and Latina/o sociology, according to the biography.

He worked with his advisor on a paper about "how youth understand their situations and what the reservoirs of knowledge are that they use to make choices when they are faced with segregation, repression, and racism."

According to the write-up, Lumbreras hoped to teach at the collegiate level after completing his studies.

Donations to the Milanca Lopez fund can be sent to www.gofundme.com/milancalopez.

Get an alert as soon as we publish stories related to traffic safety in Albany by clicking the "Keep me posted" button below. Read more here.

If there's something in this article you think , or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at albany@patch.com.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Lisa Schneider May 23, 2013 at 12:08 am
The occupiers complain that the meanies won't let them temporarily plant stuff on the futureRead More mixed-use project site, on the other hand the occupiers threaten a permanent occupation. This linked occupier image reminds me of Game of Drones (as in critters that perform no meaningful work) http://gallery.mailchimp.com/fef1cd615d86cfe1a43674873/images/ReOccupy_FARM_TOOLS.2.1f17376.jpg
Carla Harkness, center front with husband Bob, received the 2013 Lasallian Educator award at Saint Mary's High, May 17.  She is joined by other Educator honorees from prior years.
Peggy McQuaid May 20, 2013 at 11:26 am
Congratulations, Carla. The article failed to mention what a great neighbor you are.
Robby Sun May 20, 2013 at 10:37 pm
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Robby Sun May 20, 2013 at 10:09 pm
@Ross: I was wondering that too. It could be the squirrels, which were very active in my backyardRead More and the neighborhood. They still are very active.
Dover May 20, 2013 at 09:31 am
I agree with Ross. A predator would have eaten those yummy, tender, tasty baby birds. It soundsRead More more like a case of incompetent nest construction to me. Were they doves? Doves are well-known for their inability to build proper nests but there are others who struggle too. Instinct and ability do not always travel hand-in-hand. Not much you can do about that, unfortunately. Some creatures are incompetent. Some people are incompetent. That's life.
Debris collection now at 10 days
Ralph Whize May 20, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Got thru to the City Inspector (twice) and he finally called the contractor, who (at the end of dayRead More 12 of trash build up) moved the debris pile away. Albany Planning Commission meeting is 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 pm and I'm hoping local homeowners will take time to address this and other CV issues.
Dover May 20, 2013 at 09:40 am
Hey! Cool! Now I know where to dump my unwanted items! ;-) Seriously though, "the city"Read More is not helpless, "the city" is lazy and sometimes you have to kick them in the ass to get them moving. What have you tries thus far? I assume you have communicated with the CV owner or contractor. What else have you done?
Ann Farmer May 19, 2013 at 06:22 pm
This is not only an eyesore. This is a health hazard. The boards you see in the photo have nailsRead More sticking out. This area has become the trash heap for anyone walking by wanting to dispose of garbage. With bins overflowing, trash is blown down the street into residents' yards.
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Jamie Jensen May 23, 2013 at 06:29 am
I intended to add: Now, if only UCB would treat its other land holdings, like the Gill Tract, withRead More similar respect. Who wants another parking lot? Not me. Build "Senior Housing" at transit-friendly El Cerrito Plaza, not on the last patch of arable land left in the East Bay!
Jamie Jensen May 23, 2013 at 06:26 am
This Executive Summary, makes it sound OK. Better than another 1991 Fire, for sure: To reduce theRead More potential for these areas to support and spread wildfires, UCB proposes to eliminate eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and other non-native trees that promote the spread of wildfire. Oak and bay trees and other native vegetation present under the larger non-native trees would be preserved and encouraged to expand.
Caryl O'Keefe May 18, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Another example of more balanced reporting from Berkeleyside article:Read More http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/05/17/uc-berkeley-seeks-funds-to-cut-down-22000-non-native-trees/. Some of the comments are useful especially about glyphosphate. The author of the article even used his own name.
Mel Content May 19, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Sources and cites, please?
Mel Content May 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm
"If you are upset about how the rightwing has been attacking President Obama with lies andRead More hyperbole"
Mel Content May 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm
"If you are upset about how the rightwing has been attacking President Obama with lies andRead More hyperbole"